The essence that makes life worth living

Creativity is about striving to CAPTURE a bit of the indescribable essence of life. That essence is everywhere and nowhere all at once.

This essence makes life worth living. I want to capture it and hold on to it like a puppy or kitten. But, like a puppy or kitten, it can be elusive and squirmy, and I can not own it or domesticate it. It lives in the realm of creativity, and there, I can experience it and share this experience with others. 

Last night, we had dinner with my brother and his family. He has a wall he is going to tear down. He said we could paint whatever we wanted on it. We were doing many things simultaneously—listening to music, dancing, fixing dinner, and a rotating cast of characters were painting together. It was an essence moment. Grandchildren were running around eating watermelon, dropping watermelon, generally full of the dickens, and making us adults laugh.

Jamie Lee Curtis is a larger-than-life creative force. She is a force for inspiration and has accomplished so much in her life that is worthy of respect and admiration. She recently started a nonprofit called My Hand in Yours that gives 100% of its donations to The Children’s Hospital - Los Angeles.

I love what she says on the front page of her website about “fostering a connection between creativity and compassion.” She is harnessing and focusing a creative synergy through group participation on her website to bring healing and joy to sick children. 

It has been an honor to be one of the artists represented on her website. Creating a lamp for her nonprofit organization that contributes to the Children’s Hospital is an honor. Below are the links to the site My Hand in Yours with their mission, their shop, and my specific lamp. Please check it out to see what they offer.